NSW Thunder taught a harsh lesson by Al Sadd
The Qataris dominated the first half to head into the break with a 6-1 lead and despite a spirited revival from their opponents in the second half, their ability far too evident as they strengthened their place at the top of Group B.
Al Sadd opened the scoring after four minutes through Kamyab Zahir before extending their lead when Mohssein Amro’s clever through ball enabled Errahmouni Bilal to chip home.
NSW Thunder fell further behind in the ninth minute when Bilal’s fancy footwork drew keeper Peter Spathis into committing a foul on the edge of the area and Xavier Rodrigo hit the resultant free-kick into the roof of the net.
The Australians were still creating chances and should have pulled a goal back after 13 minutes but Adrian Vizzari shot over before his vicious strike was palmed away by Faraj Rashid.
But for all their attacking endeavour they were always in danger of being caught out in defence and so it proved with three minutes of the half remaining when Zahir rolled the ball into the empty net from Mohammed Al Kubaisi’s pass.
The Australians pulled one back soon after through Christopher Zeballos but Al Sadd responded immediately with strikes from Bilal and Al Kubaisi to make it 6-1 at the break.
NSW Thunder came out fighting after the restart and immediately scored when Mustafa Alpaka swept home before he grabbed another in the 26th minute to give the Australians hope.
But their chances of a revival were ended when Zahir converted a direct free-kick with seven minutes remaining before Rodrigo’s audacious lob from his own half nestled in the back of NSW Thunder’s net.
The Thunder showed signs of tiredness and Al Sadd took further control of the match in the final few minutes and added further goals from Al Kubaisi, Ebrahim Al Najjar and Zahir to complete the rout.
Al Sadd coach Fabiano Ribeiro was sympathetic after the match with the result.
?This score line was very good for us but it doesn’t really represent the game itself and how difficult it was to beat the Australian team.
NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia admitted the glaring difference between a professional futsal side and an amateur one was there for all to see.
?I think today we played against a very good team,? he said.
?We can see the difference between a team that plays in a professional league and a team that is amateur. There is a big difference in skill, speed and intensity.?
Amendolia went on to say ?When we came out in the second half we played well, it was only towards the end when we pushed for goals that we conceded.?
In the other Group B match Pro’s Cafe played out a 3-3 draw with Thai side Port Authority.
NSW Thunder has two rest days before its round three match with Lebanese outfit Pro?s Caf?.
Match Stats
NSW Thunder: 1. Peter Spathis ?, 6. Robert Issa, 9. Chris Zaballos, 10. Adrian Vizzari, 20. Lachlan Wright
Subs: 2. Dylan Maloney, 4. Rhys Giovenali, 7. Dean Lockhart, 11. Ediz Alpkaya, 12. Jack Wetney, 13. Roberto Maiorana (GK), 17. Danny Martinez
Al-Sadd: 15. Rashid Alnuaimi, 7. Mohd Al-Kubaisi, 10. Rodrigo D Rocha, 16. Ebrahim Abdullahi, 18. Amro Abdelaal.
Subs: 1. Ciz Vladimir (GK), Hamed Al-Ahbabi, 6. Ahmad Al-Hashemi, 9. Zahir Kamyba, 11. Ebrihim Al-Najjar, 13. Errahmouni Bilal, 20. Nawaf Al-Hajri
Goals
Al-Saad: Zahir Kamyab 5?, 17?, 33? 40?, Errahmouni Bilal 8?, 19?, Rodrigo D Rocha 10?, 35?, Mohd Al-Kubaisi 20?, 38?, Ebrihim Al-Najjar
NSW Thunder: Ediz Alpkaya 23?, 26?, Chris Zaballos 19?
Stadium: Pirouzi Stadium, Esfahan Iran
Crowd: 100 approx.
06/03/10
11:30: Wuhan Dilong v Pro?s Cafe
14:00: Nagoya Oceans v Bishkek
16:30: Port Authority v Al Sadd
19:00: Foolad Mahan Sepahan v Nawrouz
08/03/10
11:30: Wuhan Dilong v Al Sadd
14:00: Nagoya Oceans v Nawrouz
16:30: NSW Thunder v Port Authority
19:00: Stroitel Zarafshan v Foolad Mahan Sepahan
09/03/10
11:30: Pro?s Caf? v NSW Thunder
14:00: Port Authority v Wuhan Dilong
16:30: Bishkek v Stroitel Zarafshan
19:00: Foolad Mahan Sepahan v Nagoya Oceans
11/03/10
16:30: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A
19:00: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B
12/03/10
16:30: Third-place play-off
19:00: Final
NSW Thunder Squad 2010
Peter Spathis (Captain) (Sydney City Eagles)
Roberto Maiorana (Inner West Allstars)
Adrian Vizzari (Inner West Allstars)
Lachlan Wright (Inner West Allstars)
Ediz Alpaka (Inner West Allstars)
Chris Zeballos (Sydney City Eagles)
Dylan Maloney Sydney City Eagles
Tudor Vasile (Sydney City Eagles)
Elliot Ragomo (Dural Warriors)
Rhys Giovenali (Dural Warriors)
Dean Lockart (Campbelltown City Quake)
Danny Martinez (Campbelltown City Quake)
Robert Issa (Mascot Vipers)
Jack Whetney (Solomon Islands)
-By Damian Briggs (Reporting from Esfahan, Iran)
